Seven players making their post-season returns.

Welcome to the first playoff edition of Fantasy Forensics! This week we focus on a myriad of stars returning from long layoffs just in time for all the high stakes action. Some were out weeks, while others were MIA for months nursing various ailments. However, there's a 100% chance that not all of the returning stars are fully healed, judging by the fact that there's more than a half-dozen key players who were not ready to return to regular season mere days ago, but suddenly 'ready' to go.

Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh)

The most highly anticipated return to the ice, for game #1, was Mr. Geno Malkin himself. He was positioned back with usual running mate James Neal, and really did not ever look like he had missed a beat or the past 11 games in the injury ward. It was certainly an important hurdle for Marc-Andre Fleury's Penguins to overcome to get that first playoff win, especially with a comeback taste to it. With a pair of assists in his return, there is not doubt that Malkin will be strongly positioned for yet another playoff scoring race should the Penguins advance far. 

Tomas Hertl (San Jose)

Hertl's game#1 most common Linemate Generator; by Frozen Pools

Hertl didn't take long to be put back on the top line which saw him thrive so much right out of the gates during his NHL debut this past fall. He ad nailed down 15 goals before Christmas; Sensational production for the runaway Calder favorite – at the time. However, a cheap and reckless hit by current first round opponent, Kings, Captain Dustin Brown, put the infamous 4-goal in a game freshman scorer on the shelf for 4 months.

Although only given one regular season game to get his feet back under him, and a number of shifts in San Jose's bottom six during game #1 with James Sheppard and Tommy Wingels, he was quickly promoted. After being reunited with 'Jumbo' Joe Thornton, he had an immediate impact notching a goal and a helper to help San Jose convincingly take home the first round opener, despite only increasing his ice time to a paltry 12:15 TOI. Look to him to continue to be very effective throughout the playoffs and into next season!

Patrick Kane (Chicago)

Kane's game#1 most common Linemate Generator; by Frozen Pools

Kane, not having played since March 19^th, made a sizzling return to action, netting a beauty, seemingly his old self, showing little signs of rust. He was paired up with his also returning, running mate- Captain Serious himself.

Jonathan Toews (Chicago)

Toews' game#1 most common Linemate Generator; by Frozen Pools

Two-time defending gold medalist and defending Stanley Cup Champ is back and looking for more after being out since March 30^th. He picked up right where he left off, dishing out a pair of assists. He's back and ready to roll, without a shadow of a doubt.

Vladimir Tarasenko (St.Louis)

Tarasenko's game#1 most common Linemate Generator; by Frozen Pools

Vladimir has been on the shelf since March 15^th, but returned to play a decent roll in taking down the powerful champion Hawks, netting a sweet tally in his first action in five weeks! Playing alongside namesake, Sobotka, whom he enjoyed a fair level of success with early in the year was the perfect recipe for his return. Look for the two to press down and continue to aim for the upset. Yes I said upset. Chicago have the crown and you're going to have to snatch it from them. So far, however, St.Louis have got the head start on doing exactly that.

Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit) ** (TBD)

'Hank' as he is affectionately referred to in Hockey Town, is back on ice, getting into semi-intense practice sessions, working way back from a serious back bone-chip removal procedure. This injury & recovery has seen him out of action since game #1 of the Sochi Olympics round robin in mid February. While he's quickly getting from rusty to back in game shape, he's still likely a couple weeks out, with a round two return as the current projection, should the Wings still be alive.

Matt Duchene (Colorado)** (TBD)

Duchene has not played since the end of March, but appears to be well ahead of schedule from his projected five week absence, as he appears almost set to return before the end of the first round. Stay tuned on this one though, as in y books, the writing on the walls appears his comeback attempt will be to do so while well short of being 100%

Enjoy the rest of the wonderful Round one madness this weekend everyone!

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